A worrisome scent suddenly caught his attention. Tanis opened his eyes and asked, "Do you smell something?"

The dwarf looked offended. "Look, I intend to bathe," he blustered.

Tanis smiled humorlessly, his eyes somber slits. Clotnik caught the half-elf's concern and sniffed audibly. Then he shook his head. "I smell nothing out of the ordinary," the dwarf said.

The half-elf, however, continued to scan the horizon-what little of it could be seen through the trees. "Smoke," he said brusquely, staring into the tree line.

"Oh!" said Clotnik, alarmed. He scrambled to his feet, ready to run but apparently uncertain which direction was best. Ignoring the panicky dwarf, the half-elf stood and walked calmly to the edge of the wood.

Clotnik dogged his steps. "Elves have such good vision. Do you see anything?"

"I'm not sure…" Tanis replied slowly. "The sky beyond those hills to the north seems a little brighter, but the twilight can fool the eyes. We'll know better when the sun goes down."

The juggler alternately wrung his hands and tugged at his brown beard. Around them, the breeze began to pick up. When he spoke, his voice was pitched half an octave higher than normal. "You don't think the fire is behind us, do you7 I mean, the forest isn't burning, is it?"

Tanis hesitated, still gazing into the trees and wishing he could hasten nightfall. "I don't think so," he answered slowly. "The wind is blowing from the north, and there's the smell of cinders on it." At that moment, the wind briefly shifted and Tanis lost the scent, causing him a moment's doubt. "Maybe it's nothing," he added, unconvinced.

They waited and watched the northern sky. The twilight slowly faded, bringing darkness everywhere- except to the north. To their horror, the sky before their eyes danced with an ever-brightening light. They could see no flames, but there was no doubt that behind the hills, a great grass fire blazed. And if the wind continued to blow in their direction, the fire certainly would overtake them.